"When I do it [on tour], I don't have lights above me," she said of the act, in which she spins from silk drapes while suspended in the air. "Tonight, there were lights above me, so it almost went into a strobe thing, and I actually did get a little turned around."

As she was lowered to the ground, "I thought … I was going to fall on my nude butt," she admitted. "But I worked it out."

Told after the show that Music City artists had pulled off an unprecedented double – album of the year for Swift and record of the year for Kings of Leon – Swift, 20, replied, "That’s awesome, and I didn't know that before right now."

Keeping up the enthusiasm, Swift further declared, "Nashville is my favorite place in the world. To see it recognized in such a beautiful way tonight at the Grammys just makes me so, so happy."

Taylor Swift had some stiff competition at Sunday's Grammy Awards – but nobody seemed more surprised by the country superstar's big win than Swift herself.

"Ahh, this is album of the year," a breathless Swift said, as she took the stage to collect the night's big award at Los Angeles's Staples Center. "Oh wow! Thank you so much. I just hope that you know how much this means to me – that we get to take this back to Nashville."

"This is for my dad," Swift said, still beaming from the win. "Thank you for all those times you said I could do whatever I wanted in life. And to my mom, you're my best friend."

In addition to album of the year, Swift, an eight-time nominee, went home with three other trophies, including best country album (for Fearless) and best country song, which she accepted in pre-telecast ceremonies.

This year's telecast was stuffed with everything from opera to hip-hop, and featured inspired pairings and surprise guests and mash-ups. Here are five of the most exciting superstar performances that you'll want to re-watch on YouTube.

Beyoncé

Six-time winner Beyoncé marched toward the stage in an armor-like costume, flanked by foot soldiers. The pop diva was clearly channeling her Sasha Fierce alter-ego as she poured out her hit "If I Were a Boy," complete with a sassy crotch grab and plenty of hair-tossing. But then, when you thought she was done, the singer launched into a revved-up cover of Alanis Morissette's angst-ridden "You Oughta Know."

Pink

Pink soared above the Staples Center – and even threatened to soak the crowd during her high-flying rendition of "Glitter in the Air." Elegantly shedding her cover-up to reveal a barely-there leotard, the singer dipped into a pool of water, twirled and demonstrated a graceful command of her own voice and acrobatic skills.

Michael Jackson's eldest children spread a simple – yet powerful – message at Sunday's Grammy Awards while accepting their late father's Lifetime Achievement Award midway through the live telecast.

"Through all his songs, [our father's] message was simple: love," Prince Michael, 12, said on stage at the Staples Center, surrounded by his cousins and sister Paris, 11. "We will continue to spread his message and help the world."

In an emotional moment during a performance-heavy telecast, the late King of Pop's children thanked fans for their support after Jackson's death on June 25. "We are proud to accept this award on behalf of our father," Prince Michael said. "We'd like to thank God for watching over us for these past seven months and our grandma and grandpa for their love and support. We would also like to thank the fans; our father loved you so much because you were always there for him."

His sister, Paris, who gave a touching tribute to her father at his memorial service over the summer, told the crowd, "Daddy was going to perform this here [last year]," then said, "Thank you. We love you, Daddy."

The live show hadn't even started – and already Taylor Swift and Beyoncé were having a great Grammy night.

The country star, who is nominated for eight trophies at Sunday's Grammy Awards, nabbed two big awards during the pre-telecast program, including best country song (for "White Horse") and best female country vocal. And, while other stars were walking the red carpet, she was there to claim them in person.

"This is my first Grammy, you guys," said a beaming Swift, 20,
accepting the award. "I mean, this is a Grammy! I live in awe of the people I was nominated against in this category."

Going into the live broadcast, Swift faced fierce competition from Beyoncé, who cleaned up at pre-telecast ceremony, winning four of the astounding 10 Grammys for which she was nominated.

No one can bring out the stars quite like Clive Davis! The music mogul's Pre-Grammy Gala & Salute to Industry Icons (this year honoring Universal Music Group Chairman and CEO Doug Morris) is an annual tradition and one of the biggest parties of the year. And with a bevy of stars – including Jay-Z, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Russell Brand, Taylor Swift, Ne-Yo, Sheryl Crow, Adam Lambert and Barbra Streisand – in attendance, Saturday night's bash at the Beverly Hilton Hotel was no exception.

"It's one of those parties that you have to come to," Ciara, in head-to-toe Givenchy, told PEOPLE on her way in. "I'm excited to see everybody! It's cool to see people that you know, people that you don't know. It's always great to see Clive, and I'm just looking forward to having a great time."

Fergie, in a Zuhair Murad party dress, breezed down the red carpet in a hurry, stopping only to have a happy chat with Nick Jonas. But the singer had a good reason to rush: The Black Eyed Peas opened the show with Slash singing the classic Guns n' Rose's tune "Sweet Child O' Mine."